Daily Times

In context of Imran-Trump meeting in White House Washington should play a more proactive role and make good on Mr. Trump’s offer to mediate on the Kashmir dispute for long-term peace. There is urgent need to de-escalate present hostilities to avert a potential war in the region that would have long-term consequences and impact for the entire world. A constructive American engagement with India and Pakistan focused on finding a solution to Kashmir dispute is important to ensure lasting peace in south Asia for the sake of its people as well as for international security and stability. India has to listen to the voice of reason. Under the leadership of president Trump the international community has to make India realize that peace and improved relationship between India and Pakistan is the best interest of all those with stakes in this region. Within the current context any regional block such as SAARC may not be of any help in promoting peace and security. Same goes for O.I.C keeping in view its failures to resolve issues involving conflicts of beliefs and interests. Economic interest of members of OIC are perhaps the cause of their disinterest and not thinking out of the box.

The mere expression of concern or solidarity will not satisfy the people of Kashmir. As the crisis is very serious, the PTI leaders should take all opposition parties on board and assign important leaders role for great national cause

On the other side Trump is still trying to play the positive role to seek reduction of tensions and workable solution of Kashmir issue. War is no solution specially when both India and Pakistan are Nuclear Powers. The situation has to be handled with care leaving no room for emotions and sentiments to play negative. Rationality, objectivity and sincere intensions are required to see reality as reality and truth as truth. There is dire need to go back to the United Nations’ resolutions as a guideline for the suggested implementation of Human Rights, the right to self-determination for the people of Kashmir. Any effort to bring the demographic change to convert Kashmir of Muslim majority to minority of terrorism. Terrorism is a violent enterprise to achieve political change. India has been using this instrument for the last 70 years. More than one hundred thousand unarmed Kashmiris have been killed and their families humiliated and their property and valuables destroyed.

South Asia needs stability and economic development and resolution of outstanding disputes. Countries have to agree on continued close bilateral consultations and coordination for promotion of peace and stability in the region and beyond and maintenance of strategic balance following India’s unilateral action in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Brutal suppression of human rights in IOJ & Kashmir had the potential to spark a wave of extremism and India’s reckless actions could destabilize the region – Modi government has to rethink for welfare of the people which is possible if peace and stability exist and human rights are restored. Complete clamp down, absence of communication and turning Jammu and Kashmir into a Jail has deprived Kashmiris of their right to live and to share opportunities in their own natural abode, the Kashmir valley and Jammu.

The mere expression of concern or solidarity will not satisfy the people of Kashmir. As the crisis is very serious, the PTI leaders should take all opposition parties on board and assign important leaders role for great national cause. Pakistan will not be able to get the unconstitutional step of the BJP government reversed until tremendous international support is secured to provide tangible base for a way forward. The international community has to understand the meaning and implication of India’s move to revoke Art. 370 of constitution, which guarantees autonomy to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Modi has revoked Art. 370 to crush the power and force of Kashmir freedom movement and Kashmiris demand for right of self-determination. We all need to be the voice of Kashmiris and all those who are deprived of basic human rights.

There is hope in Trump’s offer of mediation on Kashmir. India should accept and request for mediation for the sake of peace and stability. Otherwise India should know that it is not possible to suppress a freedom movement. Kashmir issue is highlighted like never before. Syed Ali Shah Geelani asks Kashmiris to resist. “India should know that even if they bring their entire armed forces to the occupied Kashmir, even then people of the state will not stop their struggle for their right to self-determination”, Geelani said emphatically. “We must fight the enemy together. History remains witness to the fact that big military powers had perished when confronted with force of people’s unity and truth”, said Ali Geelani.

The writer is former Director National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) Government of Pakistan, a political analyst, a public policy expert, and a published author. His book post 9/11 Pakistan was published in the United States. His book Existential Question for Pakistan was recently launched and highly recommended as a must read for everyone